How to finally see a platypus in the wild in 8 steps (it only took me 16 years)!

Step 1: Tag along to one of my mens regular "fishing weekends" in countryside NSW.

Step 2: on the last day of the weekend, get up at 4.45 in the morning to take my first born fishing because... I can't remember the reason, but I swear, it sounded like a good idea the night before!

For the record, and as my son noted it: it was the first time ever I woke up so early to go fishing, well watch him fish!

Step 3: after driving for 50 minutes (actually my son was driving and I was trying not to fall asleep because he is still on his L plate), get to "THE fishing spot!" just in time before sunrise!

Step 4: Start the walk by having to climb over barbed wire, trying not to rip my pants while my beloved son is too busy recording it for posterity to help his old mother!

Step 5: walk for 25 minutes, tripping and stepping regularly in cow poo because it is too dark to see anything.

Step 6: get to one of the fishing holes and wait, wait, wait... hoping that every single little ripple is actually a platypus.

Step 7: spotting one!!!!! and then another one!!!!!

Step 8: just stay there and watch them until they disappear, with the biggest grin on your face especially as they swim past very close and seem to have all the time in the world.

In my son's words: "it was so worth it, wasn't it?"